JP2010057613A - Cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cushion simplifying a manufacturing process, preventing air leakage from air passages and blockage of the air passages and eliminating the use of a large quantity of solvent when forming the air passage. <P>SOLUTION: This cushion includes a plurality of communicating tubes PA and a plurality of joint members 100 connected to the axial ends of the communicating tubes, each joint member 100 is inserted into each bottom member 30 of a base member 10 from circumferential, the communicating tube PA is inserted into a communicating tube connecting portion 102 of the joint member 100 in the substantially horizontal direction, and each axial end of the communicating tube PA is connected to the joint member 100 to easily dispose the each communicating tube PA along the lower surface of the base member 10. The communicating tube PA is connected to the joint member 100 and the joint member 100 is inserted into the bottom member 30 of the base member 10 from below to surely form each air passage for supplying air to each air cell 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cushion using an air cell which is used by being mounted on a seating surface of a wheelchair or a hospital bed, for example.

In general, this type of cushion is provided with a flat base member, the lower end side of which is supported by the base member and extending upward from the upper surface side of the base member, and arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. A plurality of air cells, an air amount adjusting valve, an air amount adjusting valve, and an air passage provided in the base member for communicating each air cell, and each air cell via the air amount adjusting valve What adjusts the air quantity in the inside is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Japanese Translation of National Publication No. 06-510436

  By the way, in the said cushion, a base member is formed by bonding together two sheet-like members with an adhesive, and when the two sheet-like members are bonded together, a non-adhesive part is partially formed, and the non-adhesive part Thus, an air passage is formed in the base member. For this reason, since two sheet-like members are bonded together so that a non-adhesion part is provided, there existed a problem that it took time and effort to manufacture a cushion.

  In addition, if the sheet-like member is not adhered accurately and reliably, air leakage from the air passage or blockage of the air passage may occur, which is not preferable for improving the quality of the cushion. It was.

  Furthermore, it is necessary to degrease the adhesive surface of each sheet-like member before bonding the two sheet-like members, and a large amount of solvent is required for degreasing, which is not preferable for reducing air pollution. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to simplify the manufacturing process and prevent air leakage from the air passage and blockage of the air passage. An object of the present invention is to provide a cushion that can be used and that does not require the use of a large amount of solvent when forming an air passage.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plate-like base member, a lower end side supported by the base member and extending upward from the upper surface side of the base member, and in a substantially horizontal direction. A cushion comprising a plurality of air cells arranged side by side, an air amount adjusting device capable of adjusting an air amount in each air cell, and an air passage communicating the air amount adjusting device and each air cell. A plurality of flexible communication pipes, and are connected to the axial ends of the communication pipes and inserted into the base member at positions where the air cells are supported from below. And a part of the joint member is inserted into the axial end of the communication pipe in a substantially horizontal direction, or the axial end of the communication pipe is connected to a part of the joint member in a substantially horizontal direction. By being written, the joint member is configured to be connected to the axial end of the communicating pipe.

  Accordingly, a plurality of communication pipes and a joint member connected to the axial end thereof are provided in the air passage, and the joint member is inserted into the base member from below to communicate the communication pipe and the air cell. The air amount adjusting device and each air cell can be communicated with each other by the pipe and the joint member. In addition, when a part of the joint member is inserted into the axial end of the communication pipe in a substantially horizontal direction, or an axial end of the communication pipe is inserted into a part of the joint member in a substantially horizontal direction, Since the joint member is connected to the end in the axial direction, each communication pipe can be easily arranged along the lower surface of the base member. Moreover, an air passage is reliably formed by connecting the communication pipe to the joint member and inserting the joint member into the base member from below.

  According to the present invention, each communication pipe can be easily arranged along the lower surface of the base member, and the communication pipe is connected to the joint member and the joint member is inserted into the base member from below, Since the passage can be reliably formed, the manufacturing process of the cushion can be simplified, air leakage from the air passage and blockage of the air passage can be prevented, and when the air passage is formed. It is not necessary to use a large amount of solvent.

  1 to 8 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a main part of a cushion, FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a bottom member to which a communication pipe and a joint member are attached, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, FIGS. 4 and 5 are operation explanatory views when attaching the communication pipe and the joint member to the bottom member, FIG. 6 is a plan view of the cushion, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the cushion with the cover member removed. The directions in this specification are based on the directions shown in FIGS. Further, the vertical direction coincides with the vertical direction of the cushion, and in this specification, a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the air cells are arranged is referred to as the vertical direction. Further, in this specification, the direction in which the air cells are arranged side by side or the direction in which the lower surface of the base member extends is referred to as a horizontal direction, and the seating surface longitudinal direction and the seating surface left-right direction coincide with the horizontal direction.

  The cushion is arranged so as to be aligned in a substantially horizontal direction with the plate-like base member 10, and a plurality of air cells 40 each supported at the lower end side by the base member, and a seating surface for each air cell 40 And a front end side support member 50 disposed on the front end side in the front-rear direction. For example, the front end side support member 50 is placed on a seating surface of a wheelchair and used.

  The base member 10 includes a base member main body 20 formed in a flat plate shape, and a plurality of bottom members 30 attached to the base member 20.

  The base member main body 20 is made of rubber or plastic, and is provided with a plurality of circular mounting holes 21 penetrating in the thickness direction. Further, a front end portion 22 having a larger thickness than the other portions is provided on the front end side of the base member body 20 in the front-rear direction of the seating surface, and the front end portion 22 has a hollow portion 22a that opens downward. Is provided.

  A known electric air pump 60 for supplying air to each air cell 40, first and second electromagnetic valves 71 and 72 having a known structure, and a control device 80 are provided in the hollow portion 22a. Yes. The electric air pump 60 and the electromagnetic valves 71 and 72 function as an air amount adjusting device for adjusting the air amount in each air cell 40. The electric air pump 60, the electromagnetic valves 71 and 72, and the control device 80 are fixed in housings 61, 73, and 81 that open downward, and the housings 61, 73, and 81 are fitted in the hollow portion 22a. Yes. The control device 80 controls the electric air pump 60 and the electromagnetic valves 71 and 72 based on a predetermined program, for example, and adjusts the amount of air in each air cell 40. On the other hand, the opening of the hollow portion 22a is closed by a bottom cover 22b made of plastic.

  Each bottom member 30 is made of rubber or plastic and has a disk shape. The bottom member 30 is provided with an upper protrusion 31 having a circular cross section that protrudes upward, and a lower protrusion 32 having a circular cross section that protrudes downward. An engagement groove 31 a is provided over the entire circumference on the base end side of the upper protrusion 31, and an engagement groove 32 a is also provided over the entire circumference on the base end side of the lower protrusion 32. A thin film portion 31b is formed at a substantially central portion of the upper protruding portion 31, and the thin film portion 31b is formed to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction. In addition, a hole 33 that opens to the lower surface of the lower protrusion 32 is provided below the thin film portion 31b. A well-known switch-type sensor 90 is mounted in the hole 33. When the thin film portion 31b is elastically deformed downward, the thin film portion 31b pushes the button 90a of the sensor 90 downward, and the lower portion of the thin film portion 31b. The elastic deformation is detected by the sensor 90.

  A groove 34 extending in a substantially horizontal direction is provided at a position different from the hole 33 in the lower protrusion 32. Further, a through hole 35 having a substantially circular cross section is provided at a position different from the hole 33 in the bottom member 30 so as to penetrate in the vertical direction from the upper surface of the upper projecting portion 31 to the inside of the groove 34. A protruding portion 35a protruding inward in the direction is formed. A projecting portion 34a that protrudes inward in the groove width direction is formed on the lower end side in the vertical direction on the side wall of the groove 34, and the lower side in the vertical direction of the groove 34 is formed narrower than the upper side.

  The bottom protrusions 32 of the bottom members 30 are inserted into the mounting holes 21 of the base member body 20 from above, so that the mounting holes 21 are formed in the engaging grooves 32a of the bottom protrusions 32 of the bottom members 30. The inner peripheral surface is fitted, and each bottom member 30 is attached to the base member main body 20. By attaching each bottom member 30, the base member 10 is formed with irregularities due to each bottom member 30, and the front end portion 22 of the base member main body 20 has a larger thickness dimension than the other portions. The base member 10 has a plate shape as a whole.

  Each air cell 40 is made of rubber or plastic and is formed in a bag shape having an open lower end. The opening edge of each air cell 40 is detachably attached to the outer peripheral surface of the upper protrusion 31 of each bottom member 30, and the fitting ring 41 made of metal or plastic is attached to the lower end side of each air cell 40, Each air cell 40 is attached so as to extend upward from the upper surface side of the base member 10. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the opening edge portion of each air cell 40 is fitted in the engaging groove 31 a of the upper protruding portion 31.

  A metal coil spring 91 is attached to the upper surface of the bottom member 30. The coil spring 91 is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction and is formed so as to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction. The lower end of the coil spring 91 is attached to the upper surface of the upper protruding portion 31 of the bottom member 30. Accordingly, the coil spring 91 is provided so as to extend upward from the upper surface side of the thin film portion 31 b of the bottom member 30. Further, when the air cell 40 is crushed in the vertical direction, for example, when a downward force is applied to the coil spring 91, the coil spring 91 is elastically deformed in the vertical direction, and the thin film portion 31b is pressed downward by the coil spring 91. The sensor 90 is elastically deformed and the deformation is detected by the sensor 90. That is, by appropriately setting the shape and rigidity of the coil spring 91, the rigidity of the thin film portion 31b, and the position and configuration of the sensor 90, it is possible to detect that the collapse amount of the air cell 40 has become a predetermined amount or more.

  The inside of each air cell 40 communicates with the electric air pump 60 and each electromagnetic valve 71, 72 by a plurality of flexible communication pipes PA and a plurality of joint members 100. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the electric air pump 50 and each of the electromagnetic valves 71 and 72 are communicated by the communication pipe PA, and the second electromagnetic valve 72 and the first air cell 40 are connected by the communication pipe PA and the joint member. 100 for communication.

  The joint member 100 includes a substantially cylindrical insertion portion 101 inserted into the bottom member 30 and two substantially cylindrical communication pipe connections provided so as to extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the insertion portion 101. Part 102. Each communication pipe connecting portion 102 is provided so as to extend in directions opposite to each other. The proximal end sides of the insertion part 101 and each communication pipe connection part 102 are connected to each other via a main body 103, and the insides of the insertion part 101 and each communication pipe connection part 102 are in communication with each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the insertion portion 101 is inserted into the through hole 35 of the bottom member 30 from below. Further, a barbed portion 101 a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 101 at a predetermined position in the axial direction. Accordingly, when the insertion portion 101 is inserted into the through hole 35, the barb portion 101 a is axially locked to the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 35, and the insertion portion 30 can be easily removed from the through hole 35 by the locking. It is designed not to come out. Here, in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 101 on the distal end side in the insertion direction is provided with a tapered portion 101b whose outer diameter gradually increases toward the proximal end side in the insertion direction, and the tapered portion 101b. By providing a step between the proximal end side in the insertion direction and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion in the vicinity thereof, a barbed portion 101 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 101. In the present embodiment, the insertion portion 101 is inserted into the through hole 35 so that the barb portion 101 a is positioned above the protruding portion 35 a of the through hole 35. Moreover, in this embodiment, the internal diameter of the protrusion part 35a or the outer diameter of the insertion part 101 is set so that the protrusion part 35a of the through-hole 35 may be pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the insertion part 101 inserted, and the through-hole The inner diameter of the through hole 35 or the outer diameter of the barb portion 101a is set so that the barb portion 101a is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the bar. As a result, the barb portion 101 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 35, whereby the gap between the insertion portion 101 and the through hole 35 is sealed. Further, since the barb portion 101a is supported in the radial direction by the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 35, the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 101a having a different axial position from the barb portion 101a is supported in the radial direction by the protruding portion 35a. The insertion portion 101 is supported in the radial direction at two axial directions, so that the insertion portion 101 can be reliably positioned in the through hole 35, and the insertion portion 101 and the through hole 35 Is surely sealed by the barb portion 101a and the protruding portion 35a.

  On the other hand, the joint member 100 is connected to the axial end of each communicating pipe PA by inserting each communicating pipe connecting portion 102 into the axial end of each communicating pipe PA. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, when the insertion portion 101 is inserted into the through hole 35, each communication pipe connection portion 102 is arranged so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction. It will be inserted into each communication pipe PA in a substantially horizontal direction. Further, each communicating pipe connecting portion 102 is also provided with a barb portion 102 a similar to the insertion portion 101, so that each communicating pipe PA does not easily come off from each communicating pipe connecting portion 102.

  Moreover, in the air cell 40 connected lastly among each air cell 40, the joint member 100 is provided with only one communication pipe connection portion 102, and only one communication pipe PA is connected.

  On the other hand, after each communication pipe PA is connected to each joint member 100, each communication pipe PA in the vicinity of the joint member 100 is accommodated in the groove 34 of the bottom member 30, and each protrusion 34 provided in the groove 34 causes each The communication pipe PA is held in the groove 34.

  Thus, in the cushion of the present embodiment, a plurality of communication pipes PA and a plurality of joint members 100 connected to the axial ends thereof are provided, and each joint member 100 is provided below each bottom member 30 of the base member 10. Since the communication pipe PA and the air cell 40 are communicated with each other, the electric air pump 60 and the electromagnetic valves 71 and 72 and the air cells 40 can be communicated with each other by the communication pipe PA and the joint members 100. . Further, since the communicating pipe PA is inserted into the communicating pipe connecting portion 102 of the joint member 100 in a substantially horizontal direction, the axial end of the communicating pipe PA is connected to the joint member 100. It can be easily arranged along the lower surface of the member 10. In addition, after connecting each communication pipe PA to each joint member 100, each joint member 100 is inserted into the bottom member 30 of the base member 10 from below, whereby the electric air pump 60, each electromagnetic valve 71, 72, and each air cell. It is possible to easily and reliably form an air passage that communicates with 40. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the manufacturing process of the cushion, prevent air leakage from the air passage and blockage of the air passage, and if an adhesive is used when forming the air passage. However, since the amount used can be reduced, it is not necessary to use a large amount of solvent for degreasing. Moreover, the path of the air passage can be easily changed, and the specification of the cushion can be flexibly dealt with.

  Further, a through hole 35 formed so as to penetrate the bottom member 30 in the vertical direction, a substantially cylindrical insertion portion 101 provided in the joint member 100, and a maple provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 101. The insertion portion 101 of the joint member 100 is inserted into the through hole 35 of the bottom member 30 and the barb portion 101a is axially locked to the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 35. Since the joint member 100 is attached to the bottom member 30 of the base member 10, the joint member 100 can be easily and reliably attached, and the joint member 101 can be attached without using an adhesive.

  In addition, a tapered portion 101b whose outer diameter gradually increases toward the proximal end side in the insertion direction is provided on the outer peripheral surface on the distal end side in the insertion direction in the insertion portion 101, and a base in the insertion direction in the tapered portion 101b is provided. By providing a step between the end side and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 101 in the vicinity thereof, the burr portion 101a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 101. Therefore, when inserting the insertion portion 101, the burr portion Since 101a is not locked to the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 35 and the insertion work of the insertion portion 101 can be easily performed, it is advantageous in improving productivity. Further, since the barb portion 101a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 101 over the entire circumference, it is advantageous for reliably sealing the gap between the insertion portion 101 and the through hole 35.

  Further, since the inner diameter of the through hole 35 or the outer diameter of the barbed portion 101a is set so that the barbed portion 101a is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 35, the gap between the insertion portion 101 and the through hole 35 is changed. Sealed by the part 101.

  In addition, since a plurality of joint members 100 are provided and some of the joint members 100 are configured to be connectable to two communication pipes PA, each joint member 100 is connected to only one communication pipe PA. Compared to the case where it is impossible, the number of joint members 100 and the number of through holes 35 can be reduced, which is extremely advantageous in simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing the manufacturing cost. The joint member 100 can be configured to be connectable to three or more communication pipes PA, and the communication pipe PA can be branched between the joint member 100 and the joint member 100.

  In addition, since the groove 34 that accommodates and holds the communication pipe PA connected to the joint member 100 is provided on the lower surface of the bottom member 30, the communication pipe PA can be reliably positioned and the bottom surface of the base member 10 can be positioned. Unevenness caused by the communication pipe PA can be reduced or prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the groove 34 that accommodates and holds the communication pipe PA connected to the joint member 100 is provided on the lower surface of the bottom member 30. However, the groove 34 may not be provided. Even in this case, the cushion manufacturing process can be simplified, air leakage from the air passage and blockage of the air passage can be prevented, and a large amount of air can be formed when forming the air passage. There is no need to use a solvent.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, what attached each air cell 40 to the base member 10 so that attachment or detachment was possible was shown. On the other hand, it is also possible to form each air cell 40 integrally with a part of the flat base member, and even in this case, the above-described configuration can be used.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the thing in which the barb part 101a was formed over the perimeter of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion part 101 was shown. On the other hand, it is also possible to provide a plurality of barb portions on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 101 at intervals in the circumferential direction. Even in this case, the joint member 100 can be easily and reliably attached to the bottom member 30, and the joint member 101 can be attached without using an adhesive. Is possible.

  In the present embodiment, an electric air pump 60 and electromagnetic valves 71 and 72 are provided on the base member 10, and the amount of air in each air cell 40 is adjusted by the electric air pump 60 and the electromagnetic valves 71 and 72. It was. On the other hand, a manual pump is provided in place of the electric air pump 60 and the electromagnetic valves 71 and 72, and the manual pump and the air cells 10 can be communicated with each other using the communication pipes PA and the joint members 100. is there. In this case, the manual pump functions as an air amount adjusting device. Further, the electric air pump 60 and the electromagnetic valves 71 and 72 can be housed in a box provided separately from the base member 10. Even in this case, the electric air pump 60, the electromagnetic valves 71 and 72, and the air cells 40 can be communicated in the same manner as described above, and the same effects as described above can be achieved.

  In addition, in this embodiment, what provided the through-hole 35 penetrated to the up-down direction in each bottom member 30 was shown. On the other hand, it is possible to provide each bottom member 30 with a through hole extending obliquely and to insert each joint member 100 into each through hole. Even in this case, if the communicating pipe connecting portions 102 of the joint members 100 are arranged so as to extend substantially in the horizontal direction, it is possible to achieve the same effect as described above.

  Here, if the angle formed between the insertion direction of each communication pipe PA into the communication pipe connecting portion 102 and the horizontal direction is 30 ° or less, the same effect as described above can be achieved, and more reliably. In order to achieve the above-described effects, the angle is preferably 15 ° or less. Further, in the present specification, when the angle formed between the insertion direction of each communication pipe PA to the communication pipe connecting portion 102 and the extending direction of the lower surface of the base member is set within the aforementioned angle range, It is assumed that the communication pipe PA is inserted into the communication pipe connection portion 102 in a substantially horizontal direction.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, what inserted the coupling member 100 in the bottom member 30 of all the air cells 40 was shown, respectively. On the other hand, it is also possible to insert the joint members 100 into the bottom members 30 of some of the air cells 40 and connect the communication pipe PA directly to the bottom members 30 of the remaining air cells 40. Even in this case, effects such as simplification of the manufacturing process of the cushion described above in some of the air cells 40 can be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, the insertion portion 101 is provided with the replacement portion 101a in one axial direction, but the replacement portion 101a may be provided in a plurality of axial directions. The same effect as described above can be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, the base member 10 is formed by attaching a plurality of bottom members 30 to the base member main body 20. On the other hand, the base member can be formed of a flat plate member made of rubber or plastic. Even in this case, it is possible to achieve the same effect as described above by inserting each joint member 100 from below into the position of the base member that supports each air cell 40.

  In the present embodiment, the communication pipe connection portion 102 is inserted into the end of the communication pipe PA in the axial direction. However, each communication pipe connection portion is inserted so that the communication pipe PA is inserted into the communication pipe connection portion 102. It is also possible to configure 102, and even in this case, it is possible to achieve the same effect as described above.

Side surface sectional drawing of the principal part of the cushion which shows 1st Embodiment in this invention. Bottom view of bottom member to which communication pipe and joint member are attached AA line sectional view in FIG. Operation explanatory diagram when attaching the communication pipe and joint member to the bottom member Operation explanatory diagram when attaching the communication pipe and joint member to the bottom member Top view of cushion BB sectional view in FIG. Bottom view of cushion with cover member removed

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Base member, 20 ... Base member main body, 30 ... Bottom member, 34 ... Groove, 35 ... Through-hole, 40 ... Air cell, 60 ... Electric air pump, 71 ... 1st solenoid valve, 72 ... 2nd solenoid valve, 80 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Control apparatus, 100 ... Joint member, 101 ... Insertion part, 101a ... A barb part, 101b ... A taper part, 102 ... A communication pipe connection part, 102a ... A barb part, a communication pipe ... PA.

Claims (6)

A plate-like base member, and a plurality of air cells that are supported by the base member at the lower end side and extend upward from the upper surface side of the base member, and are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction with each other; In a cushion comprising an air amount adjusting device capable of adjusting the air amount in each air cell, and an air passage for communicating the air amount adjusting device and each air cell,
A plurality of flexible communication pipes and an axial end of the communication pipe are connected to the air passage, and are inserted from below into a position supporting the air cell in the base member. And a joint member that communicates with the air cell,
A part of the coupling member is inserted into the axial end of the communication pipe in a substantially horizontal direction, or the axial end of the communication pipe is inserted into a part of the coupling member in a substantially horizontal direction, so that the axial direction of the communication pipe A cushion characterized by comprising a joint member connected to the end. A through hole formed to penetrate the base member in the vertical direction;
A substantially cylindrical plug provided in the joint member;
A fold portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion,
The position where the joint member supports the air cell in the base member by inserting the insertion portion of the joint member into the through hole of the base member and locking the barbed portion axially to the inner peripheral surface of the through hole. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the cushion is configured to be attached to the cushion. Provided on the outer peripheral surface on the distal end side in the insertion direction in the insertion portion is a tapered portion whose outer diameter gradually increases toward the proximal end side in the insertion direction, and the proximal end side in the insertion direction in the tapered portion and its The cushion according to claim 2, wherein a barb is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion by providing a step between the outer peripheral surface of the adjacent insertion portion. The cushion according to claim 3, wherein an inner diameter of the through hole or an outer diameter of the barb portion is set so that the barb portion is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the through hole. A plurality of the joint members are provided,
The cushion according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, wherein a part or all of the joint members are configured to be connectable to a plurality of communication pipes. The cushion according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, wherein a groove for receiving and holding a communication pipe connected to a joint member is provided on a lower surface of the base member.

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